Released on November 11th 2013 on Panegyric Recordings, ‘Close to the Edge’ will be the first in a new series of expanded YES editions to contain:

• New 5.1 Surround Mixes from the original Multitracks
• New Stereo Mixesfrom the original Multitracks
• High-Resolution Stereo Remastersfrom the original Flat Stereo Masters
• A wealth of Extra Material.
• Mixes made with the approval of YES.

Acclaimed musician/producer Steven Wilson has produced the new mixes with the approval of the band, while Roger Dean reprises his role as art director/designer of the newly issued edition, making this the Definitive Edition of the album.

• CD features a completely new Stereo Album Mix by Steven Wilson + a new mix of America & an early mix/assembly of Close to the Edge, all at CD quality 44.1kHz/16bit.

• Hybrid DVD-A features a 5.1 Surround mix and High Resolution 96kHz/24bit Stereo mixes of the album in its original & new stereo mixes + numerous audio extras in high-resolution stereo including single edits & studio run- throughs.

• Blu-Ray features all of the above – new mixes at 96kHz/24bit, original mixes at 192kHz/24bit in DTS-HD Master Audio Surround + additional exclusive music including 96kHz/24bit Instrumental Versions & a 96kHz/24bit needle-drop of an original UK vinyl pressing.

• Special packaging for both formats, CD/DVD-A in double digi-pack in slipcase, CD/Blu-Ray in mini vinyl replica gatefold card sleeve.

• Original artwork by Roger Dean who has overseen the artwork for this new edition.

The combination of Yes’s music & Steven Wilson’s production skills seems such an obvious mix (no pun intended), it’s a wonder it hasn’t happened sooner. Actually, it’s been planned for a little while, speculated about for even longer & has now begun, with the first release in the series, “Close to the Edge” set for an October release.

Mixed from the full multi-track sources, the 5.1 mixes reveal every nuance of the complexity of the original recordings in Surround sound, while a sparkling new stereo mix is presented on CD & in high resolution stereo, as is a flat transfer from the original stereo master tape source. The album is being released in two formats (CD/DVD-A & CD/Blu-Ray) providing maximum access to the high-resolution audio formats. Both editions include numerous audio extras, all in high resolution, some of which are exclusive to the CD/Blu-Ray edition.

About CLOSE TO THE EDGE

When Yes entered the studio with Eddie Offord to record the band’s fifth studio album in mid-1972, their second with this line-up, the band was on something of a roll. “Fragile”, the band’s previous album, had taken Yes to a new level of international popularity with Top Ten chart placement on both sides of the Atlantic & yielding a hit single in the USA with ‘Roundabout’. The band was now established in the major music markets to an extent that was, perhaps, unexpected given the complexity of the music Yes performed. But with that popularity came a confidence that the expansive material of the two previous albums could be taken a stage further with the new recording. Rather than consolidating, Yes chose to innovate.

Recorded during lengthy sessions at London’s Advision Studios, “Close to the Edge” is that rarity in recorded music, the sound of a band & its individual members writing, playing and recording at the peak of their collective abilities. The album was issued in Autumn 1972 reaching chart highs & platinum sales status of 4 in the UK, 3 in the USA & 1 in Holland, though such statistics only hint at the worldwide popularity of the album over a period of more than four decades. The three pieces of music, the title track which spanned the entire first side of the vinyl album with ‘And You And I’ & ‘Siberian Khatru’ on side two, have remained concert favourites since release, with the 2013 Yes line-up currently in the middle of a world tour stretching into the middle of next year that sees the album performed in its entirety.

The album remains the favourite among many of the band’s legion of fans, a defining recording both for the band & for the progressive rock movement. It is also one of the most successful British rock albums ever released.

Since this release of “Close to the Edge” was confirmed, the various websites dedicated to Yes, Progressive rock & high-resolution audio have been very active with discussions among fans keen to hear the new mixes & the existing material in its purest audio presentation.

A NOTE ABOUT AUDIO SOURCES

In keeping with earlier releases in this series, Steven Wilson’s approach to this album for new stereo & 5.1 mixes is to faithfully retain the spirit & sounds of the original album mix, while applying modern mix techniques to bring further clarity to the individual instrument, vocal & overdubs for each track. The songs, instantly familiar to a multitude of Yes fans, remain so, with the new mixes – especially in 5.1 form – providing a greater sense of space for each voice to be heard, Anderson’s voice seems to join the listener in the room, Howe & Wakeman’s solos glisten with clarity & Bruford/Squire remind all that they were unmatched as a rhythm section during that period.

ALSO AVAILABLE

Get the Definitive versions of 4 Classic YES Albums on Amazon: The Yes Album, Fragile, Close To The Edge & Relayer
Remixed & Remastered by Steven Wilson in HD24-96 5.1 & Stereo, and also including the original Yes/Eddy Offord mix, with a host of extra tracks.